|
by
Joel Welser
#9 Ohio
State Buckeyes
Big Ten
2006 Record: (12-1, 8-0)
Coach: Jim Tressel (62-14 at Ohio State,
62-14 overall)
Starters Returning: 12 (5 offense, 5 defense,
2 specialists)
Offensive Starters Lost: QB Troy Smith, RB
Antonio Pittman, WR Ted Ginn Jr., WR Anthony Gonzalez, OL Doug Datish, OL T.J.
Downing
Offensive Starters Returning: WR Brian
Robiskie, TE Rory Nicol, OL Kirk Barton, OL Alex Boone, OL Steve Rehring
Defensive Starters Lost: DT David Patterson,
DT Quinn Pitcock, DE Jay Richardson, LB John Kerr, CB Antonio Smith, S Brandon
Mitchell
Defensive Starters Returning: DE Vernon
Gholston, LB James Laurinaitis, LB Marcus Freeman, CB Malcolm Jenkins, S Jamario
O’Neal
Starting Specialists Lost: none
Starting Specialists Returning: K Aaron
Pettrey, P A.J. Trapasso
It is not possible to lose Troy Smith, Antonio
Pittman, Ted Ginn Jr. and Anthony Gonzalez and get better. The offense will
replace those NFL stars of today with some NFL stars of tomorrow, but it will
take some time for the new faces to get anywhere close to the production of
their predecessors.
Offense:
Todd Boeckman is expected to replace Smith as the
quarterback. Boeckman has the experience, however Robbie Schoenhoft and freshman
Antonio Henton are in the mix as well. Henton is the only option that has some
Smith-esque qualities, while Boeckman and Schoenhoft are prototypical pocket
passers. Finding some targets to throw to will not be as big of a problem as it
seems. Brian Robiskie was the number three target last year and is ready to be
the main threat. Brian Hartline and speedy Ray Small will be household names
sooner than later.
Chris Wells and Maurice Wells, who are only related
by scarlet and gray, will handle the bulk of the ball carrying duties. Chris, or
Beanie as he is more popularly known, rushed for 576 yards and seven touchdowns
as the short yardage back behind Pittman in 2006. The lightning to his thunder,
Maurice has the speed and agility to be more than just a change of pace back.
Defense:
The talented defense is led by one of the most
explosive linebacker groups in the nation. James Laurinaitis won the Nagurski
Award last season and is among the favorites to take home the Butkus Award in
2007. Marcus Freeman was second only to Laurinaitis in tackles and the speedy
linebacker is poised for another great season. Former junior college transfer
Larry Grant and senior Curtis Terry bring even more experience to the
linebackers.
Todd Denlinger and Doug Worthington will have some
work to do replacing Quinn Pitcock and David Patterson at the defensive tackle
spots. Denlinger has plenty of experience on the inside, but Worthington spent
most of his time on the ends last season. Led by Thorpe Award candidate Malcolm
Jenkins, the secondary has a slew of talent. Donald Washington will move from
the nickel package to the other corner opposite Jenkins. Jamario O’Neal returns
at strong safety and Nick Patterson is likely to take over the free safety spot
after backing up the departed Brandon Mitchell in 2006.
The Bottom Line:
The Buckeye defense will be great and the spring
game will not be the last time the defense scores more touchdowns than the
offense. It will take a little time for the new quarterback to find the
offensive rhythm, but the talent is there on both sides of the ball for the Ohio
State to make a BCS game.
|
From